Merced Rescue Mission

08/06/2026

So far this year at the Mission -
110 men and women found permanent housing
185,763 nutritious meals were served
64,036 nights of safety and restful sleep were provided
19 men and women committed their lives to Christ

We currently have 329 participants enrolled in our Hope programs. We've helped 44 individuals graduate from Homeless Court.

These numbers represent lives being changed, and none of it would be possible without your faithful prayers, generous donations, and volunteer support. Thank you for being part of the Mission's work!

To learn more about our programs, including Homeless Court, please visit:
https://www.mercedcountyrescuemission.org/

To refer anyone to any of our programs, call the Mission office, (209) 722-9269.

The Merced County Rescue Mission offers life-changing programs and provides hope to the homeless and needy people of Merced County.

08/04/2026

The Hope for Men program participants spent a day in the sun in Santa Cruz. They enjoyed fellowship and a fun day out together.

These trips are so meaningful to our participants, as they live and grow together. Thank you for your support of our faith-based programs!

08/01/2026

Bianca's Story of Hope -
I am a grateful believer in Jesus Christ. After struggling with m**h addiction for 29 years, my life had become completely unmanageable. I lost my dignity, my marriage, my children, my home, my job, and the trust of my family.

Eventually, I found myself back in jail, facing prison time. Alone in a cell, I began to sober up. At first, I was overwhelmed with anger, but as my mind cleared, I realized I was exhausted by the cycle I was living. I wasn’t ready to face the consequences, but I was ready to surrender.

When given the opportunity, I chose to enter a working dorm and participate in substance abuse classes instead of returning to old habits. I reached out to my family and admitted I needed help. During this time, I began to pray and trust that God had a plan for my life.

At my court hearing, I was offered a chance to enter the Hope for Women program instead of serving prison time. Despite unexpected delays and challenges, everything ultimately fell into place, and I was released to begin the program.

Today, I celebrate one year of sobriety. God has restored my relationships with my children and family. I now have stable housing, employment, and renewed purpose. Through the support, structure, and encouragement I received, I have grown mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

I am deeply grateful to the Merced County Rescue Mission’s Hope for Women program for giving me a second chance at life. All glory to God.

07/31/2026

Moises' Story of Hope -
As a child and teenager, I attended church, but I never truly read or understood the Bible. As I grew older, my focus shifted to work and everyday life, and over time, I lost sight of God. I began drinking more, and eventually found myself sitting in jail, feeling confused, lost, and convinced my life was over.

While there, I met someone who invited me to sit and read the Bible. That simple invitation became a turning point in my life. As I began to read, I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit and made the decision to surrender my life to God and trust Him to guide my path.

Through Scripture, I came to understand that salvation is a gift from God. It is not som**hing that can be earned. That truth gave me a deep sense of peace and assurance. I realized that if I could not earn my salvation, I could not lose it either. From that moment on, I began to see God working in my life in real and powerful ways.

I was accepted into the Hope for Men program, and my legal situation changed for the better, with my charges reduced to misdemeanors. From there, I committed myself to studying the Bible daily and growing closer to God. As I changed, so did my relationships. My family became supportive, and I was able to begin pursuing my education.

Today, with my life back on track and God at the center of it, I can honestly say I am happier than I have been in a long time. I continue to pray and trust that God will guide and bless me as I walk alongside Him each day.

07/29/2026

Commencement Celebration -
In June, a commencement celebration was held at Bear Creek Community Church honoring participants from the Hope for Men and Hope for Women programs.

Two men graduated from the 9–12 month program, and many other participants were recognized for completing key portions of the curriculum, including Anger Management, ACE Overcomers, and Beliefs and Giants. It is always a joy to see families join in the celebration and witness the transformation taking place in the lives of participants. The Mission is grateful to walk alongside each person in this journey of change, made possible through the generosity and support of our donors and partners.

We're also sharing a great picture of Jermaine, one of our recent graduates, with his family. We are so grateful to our community for supporting our mission, and so excited for our graduates who are growing in Christ!

07/27/2026

Phase 2 Becoming a Reality -
When we broke ground at the end of February, we hoped to complete this project by December. At the time, that timeline felt ambitious. Some people even asked, “December of what year?” The photos in this newsletter were taken during the third week of June, and the project is now running about a month ahead of schedule, with completion currently projected for Thanksgiving of this year.

The construction management team and crews are doing excellent work. Once completed, Phase 2 will double our Respite Care capacity and provide dedicated space for our Transition to Hope program. It will also enhance the Village of Hope campus, creating a welcoming place of healing and restoration for those we serve.

07/24/2026

The Hope for Women program participated in the annual Glow Prison Ministry Retreat. Women shared testimonies and obtained mentors for their walk with Christ and their recovery. They also gained prayer partners who will pray for each other throughout the year.

These women will stay connected and share any challenges they face. This is so important for their journey. They will connect again next year and celebrate another year clean and walking with Jesus Christ.

07/22/2026

Oasis Fundraiser - A Huge Success!
We may be a little late in saying it, but our gratitude is just as heartfelt—thank you to everyone who made our Oasis fundraiser such a wonderful success.

The Rescue Mission would like to thank all who attended and helped make this year’s Oasis Fundraiser a huge success. Over 400 people attended the event, and our generous donors helped us surpass the $100,000 goal!

It was a real blessing to have so many donors and partners present to listen to the heartfelt testimony from Kadasha, a graduate of our Hope for Women program. Updates were given on this past year’s ministry and how so many lives were positively influenced. Last year at the Mission, 430 men and women found permanent housing, 360,174 nutritious meals were served, 125,502 nights of safety and restful sleep were provided, and 84 men and women committed their lives to Christ.

Our vision for the future was shared and included our present construction project which is projected to be finished this coming December. The current project will provide 32 more beds of Respite Care and 40 studio apartments that will be of great benefit to our Transition to Hope program and to people coming from Respite Care.

A major theme shared at the Fundraiser was that of involving help from individuals and churches. The men and women in the Mission’s programs may participate in them for up to one or two years. And then, there is the rest of their lives. Our participants need friends and a church family to support them on their continuing life’s journey. This is the part where the Mission and our participants need your help! We need people who will come alongside them and will invite our participants into their lives and into their churches, where they can become part of a church family and community. Support is measured in friendship, and friendship is a key element in long-term stability and a meaningful future. We are grateful to all of you who will consider being a friend to one of our participants.

Once again, thank you so much for your incredible support of God’s work through the Rescue Mission, where lives are being transformed!

07/22/2026

Ken and Susie Van Foeken were recognized as Citizens of the Year in Hilmar for their outstanding service to the community and beyond.

At the Merced County Rescue Mission, we are especially grateful for Ken and Susie’s faithful dedication. Each month, they bring a truckload of household goods to the Mission — a true labor of love. Susie works diligently to gather the items, and together they load and deliver everything to help meet the needs of our residents.

These generous donations include just about everything imaginable — lamps, bedding, appliances, kitchenware, pots and pans, clothing, and much more. Once received, these items are distributed to Mission homes where they make a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve.

We thank Ken and Susie for their consistent kindness and commitment to supporting the work God is doing through the Mission. Their efforts remind us how much can be accomplished when people come together to serve others.

07/20/2026

Neomi's Story of Hope -
I have always been on my own from the age of 12. The streets raised me, and I went from foster homes to group homes. I entered prison at the age of 22 and spent many years there. I ran the street with gangs, and I’ve done a lot and seen a lot. I labeled myself as a lost cause and thought of everyone else as smart.

The last time I was in county jail, it really hit me hard that I was on my way back to prison again. I felt so tired of it. I was going nowhere real fast. I was mentally and physically tired. I was just exhausted. I realized what had happened and wondered where I went wrong. My life was gone, and I had nothing to show for it. That is how I felt. I started going out of my mind about it. I felt that there was no hope, no one cared, and that I had completely failed. I cried out, “God help me!”

I never was really a big fan of all the Jesus stuff. I knew there was a God, but I knew the enemy much better. I met with the jail chaplain, and I just knew at that moment when the chaplain asked if I wanted to accept Jesus into my life as my Lord and Savior, I knew I was ready. I was desperate, and I wanted som**hing different. I did accept Jesus into my life, and I meant it.

I still went back to prison, but I knew it was going to be alright. I felt it, and during that time the Lord gave me a dream. He showed me a glimpse of me walking over people, my people. They were homeless, nodding out on drugs, basically zombies. Then He told me I was running out of time and that I needed to get to the Rescue Mission. It was crazy. What may seem like a regular dream to anyone else wasn’t like that for me. It was so real and very loud and intense. I knew it was Him, my Lord and Savior, telling me I didn’t have another run in me and that I needed help fast because I wasn’t going to make it. Guess what. I followed His voice.

After a very structured and intense program at Hope for Women, I now have a very strong relationship with the Lord. He is my go-to for any and everything in my life. He taught me how to breathe and live life. He led me to let go of my past and embrace my future, putting Him first in any and everything I do. I learned how to love and be loved. I have used my time at the Hope for Women program to get closer and more intimate with my Father, God, but I’ve got to work on my childhood trauma and learn that none of it was my fault. I’ve learned how to forgive others and myself. The Lord has removed the two biggest obstacles that have always held me back. The first obstacle was my desire to live the street life, and the second obstacle was my desire to use drugs. It is a miracle that God has removed these from me.

The Rescue Mission is all about second chances and helping us through life. The Mission has helped me gain skills, and I now work for the Mission with the Senior Meals program. I love working with the seniors, and I believe it is only going to get better. My future is no longer dark. I can see a good future by the grace of God, who has led me to the Rescue Mission. I have completed the program, and now I am starting a new life and journey with my Lord, Jesus Christ.